Laser light shows on new planetarium schedule

September 14, 2006

The 2006-2007 season at the P-H-M Planetarium/Space Museum is under way. All shows are $2 for adults and $1 for children except for Breakfast With Santa, which is $6.50 for adults and $5.50 for children, and Laser Light Shows, which are $5 per seat. All shows run between 30 and 45 minutes Wonders of the Universe, 1 p.m. Sept. 24. Peer deep into space through the eyes of the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope and travel back billions of years in time to witness the birth of the universe. See the formation of galaxies and stars. Our Place in Space, 1 p.m. Oct. 8. This show is designed for kindergarten students on up. It features such things as how and why the sun moves across the sky, the turning earth, day and night, planets and stars in general. New Horizons, 1 p.m. Oct. 22. This is a journey by way of a comet through Earth's celestial neighborhood featuring planets, moons, asteroids, and the Kuiper Belt. On each of the ports of call, see real data and images from a variety of space probes. Adventures Along the Spectrum, 1 p.m., Nov. 5. Professor Photon takes participants on a humorous adventure along the energy spectrum also known as visible and invisible light. By comparing and contrasting sound waves from a piano (which he plays very poorly) to the energy spectrum, the audience will be able to understand that the universe is made up of energy we can see and can't see ... and what we can't see is very exciting! Rusty Rocket's Last Blast, 10 a.m. Nov. 11. Instructor Rusty Rocket takes a class of rookies on a tour of the solar system by discussing basic rocket physics, recounting great moments in space exploration, pointing out unique planetary features, and emphasizing the great distances that separate the planets. Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m., Dec. 9. Enjoy a breakfast in the Bittersweet Elementary cafeteria with Santa. Following breakfast, enter the planetarium to see "A Star For Santa's Tree." Tickets must be purchased in advance from the P-H-M Community Education Office located at the ESC. A Star for Santa's Tree, 1 p.m. Dec. 10. This 45-minute show contains three short stories, two singalong songs and a grand finale. It is loaded with special effects, slides and music. The planetarium is decorated with moving elves, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, electric train, moving lights and more. Tis the Season, 1 p.m., Dec. 17. The show traces the development of many of the world's holiday customs, and how they involve lighting up the winter season -- from the burning yule log and sparkling Christmas tree lights to the lighting of the menorah and luminarias. A lesson in astronomy explains the how and why of the seasons along with identifying constellations, comets, meteors and supernovae. Winter Night Sky, 1 p.m. Jan. 14. This is a live presentation that features all aspects of the night sky for the months of January, February and March. Constellation patterns, moon phases, planet positions, meteor showers, comets and northern lights will also be shown and explained. Rumpelstiltskin's Starry Secret, 1 p.m. Jan. 28. Astronomers say we're living in the "springtime of the universe," which means the universe is young and in its early stage of development. As time marches on, this will change since all stars will eventually run out of fuel and die. However, based on their mass, they will have different death cycles. Some will burn out, others will explode and some may turn into black holes. How and when will the sun die? History of Human Space Exploration, 1 p.m. Feb. 4. This 60-minute presentation details the main events of manned space flight and includes related artifacts in the space museum. Adventure Within: Powers of Ten, 1 p.m. Feb. 11. This is a journey (similar to the movie "Fantastic Voyage") through the human body to examine the universe that is within all of us. Traveling from the base of the eye to the interior of the heart, you'll explore strange ports of call looking for a virus that threatens the life of a patient in the year 2053. WSKY: Radio Station of the Stars, 1 p.m. Feb. 25. Two cosmic DJ's, Moondog Matt Midnight and Stella Sunspot, will welcome you to a special broadcast at WSKY. This show will examine a potpourri of astronomy topics. The Weather Machine, 1 p.m. March 4. This program is divided into several segments that answers such questions as: What causes weather? How are tornadoes and hurricanes formed? What is lightning and why is it so dangerous? And, can we predict the weather by observing the moon and stars? Cosmic Safari (Life in the Universe), 1 p.m. March 11. The search for life in the universe begins as participants "travel" to yet undiscovered planets in the far reaches of the galaxy as well as the universe. Laser light showsApril 20: 7 p.m., Laser Beatles; 8 p.m., Laser VinylApril 21: 7 p.m., Laser Pop; 8 p.m., Laser ZeppelinApril 22: 1 p.m., Laser Beatles; 2 p.m., Laser SpiritApril 27: 7 p.m., Laser Beatles; 8 p.m., Laser VinylApril 28: 7 p.m., Laser Pop; 8 p.m., Laser ZeppelinApril 29: 1 p.m., Laser Beatles; 2 p.m., Laser Spirit This is a full dome professional laser light show using not only a laser projection system, but many of the special effects projectors in the P-H-M Planetarium as well. The entire 35-40 minute show is set to music. Show titles are subject to change; check with the planetarium director in advance of the show. The Summer Sky, 6:30 p.m. May 3. The night sky will be presented as well as the sky for the entire summer. Weather permitting, examine the sky with telescopes.